[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 55 (Monday, March 23, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15165-15167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06298]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy

32 CFR Part 706


Certifications and Exemptions Under the International Regulations 
for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy (DoN) is amending its 
certifications and exemptions under the International Regulations for 
Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as amended (72 COLREGS), to reflect 
that the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (DAJAG)(Admiralty and 
Maritime Law) has determined that USS JOHN WARNER (SSN 785) is a vessel 
of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot 
fully comply with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without 
interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended 
effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS 
apply.

DATES: This rule is effective March 23, 2015 and is applicable 
beginning January 28, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander Theron R. Korsak, (Admiralty 
and Maritime Law), Office of the Judge Advocate General, Department of 
the Navy, 1322 Patterson Ave. SE., Suite 3000, Washington Navy Yard, DC 
20374-5066, telephone 202-685-5040.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the authority granted in 33 
U.S.C. 1605, the DoN amends 32 CFR part 706.
    This amendment provides notice that the DAJAG (Admiralty and 
Maritime Law), under authority delegated by the Secretary of the Navy, 
has certified that USS JOHN WARNER (SSN 785) is a vessel of the Navy 
which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply 
with the following specific provisions of 72 COLREGS without 
interfering with its special function as a naval ship: Annex I,

[[Page 15166]]

paragraph 2(a)(i), pertaining to the vertical placement of the masthead 
light; Annex I, paragraph 2(f)(i), pertaining to Virginia class 
submarine masthead light location below the submarine identification 
lights; Annex I, paragraph 2(k), pertaining to the vertical separation 
of the anchor lights and vertical placement of the forward anchor light 
above the hull; Rule 30(a) and Rule 21(e), pertaining to arc of 
visibility of the forward and after anchor lights; Annex I, paragraph 
3(b), pertaining to the location of the sidelights; and Rule 21(c), 
pertaining to the location and arc of visibility of the sternlight. The 
DAJAG (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has also certified that the lights 
involved are located in closest possible compliance with the applicable 
72 COLREGS requirements.
    Moreover, it has been determined, in accordance with 32 CFR parts 
296 and 701, that publication of this amendment for public comment 
prior to adoption is impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to public 
interest since it is based on technical findings that the placement of 
lights on this vessel in a manner differently from that prescribed 
herein will adversely affect the vessel's ability to perform its 
military functions.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 706

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), Vessels.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the DoN amends part 706 
of title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 706--CERTIFICATIONS AND EXEMPTIONS UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL 
REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, 1972

0
1. The authority citation for part 706 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  33 U.S.C. 1605.


0
2. Section 706.2 is amended by:
0
a. In Table One, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, an 
entry for USS JOHN WARNER (SSN 785);
0
b. In Table Three, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS JOHN WARNER (SSN 785);
0
c. In Table Four, under paragraph 25, adding, in alpha numerical order, 
by vessel number, an entry for USS JOHN WARNER (SSN 785); and
0
d. In Table Four, paragraph 26, adding, in alpha numerical order, by 
vessel number, an entry for USS JOHN WARNER (SSN 785).
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  706.2  Certifications of the Secretary of the Navy under 
Executive Order 11964 and 33 U.S.C. 1605.

* * * * *

                                Table One
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Distance in meters of
                                                 forward masthead light
            Vessel                  Number       below minimum required
                                                 height. Sec.   2(a)(i),
                                                         Annex I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS JOHN WARNER..............  SSN 785........                     2.76
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                                                                       Table Three
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                             Forward
                                                      Masthead                                 Side lights  Stern light,     anchor       Anchor lights
                                                     lights arc    Side lights   Stern light    distance      distance       light,     relation-ship of
             Vessel                    Number            of          arc of        arc of      inboard of    forward of   height above    aft light to
                                                     visibility;   visibility;   visibility;  ship's sides    stern in       hull in    forward light in
                                                     rule 21(a)    rule 21(b)    rule 21(c)     in meters   meters; rule  meters; 2(K)     meters 2(K)
                                                                                              3(b) annex 1      21(c)        annex 1         annex 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS JOHN WARNER................  SSN 785..........  ............  ............    206.4[deg]          4.37         11.05           2.8  0.30 below.
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    25. * * *

[[Page 15167]]



                               Table Four
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Distance in meters of
                                                masthead light below the
            Vessel                  Number              submarine
                                                  identification lights
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS JOHN WARNER..............  SSN 785........                     0.81
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    26. * * *

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                                  Obstruction angle relative to ship's heading
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                                                                            Forward Anchor
                  Vessel                               Number                    Light         Aft Anchor Light
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
USS JOHN WARNER...........................  SSN 785.....................        172[deg] to   359[deg] to 1[deg]
                                                                                   188[deg]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

    Approved: January 28, 2015.
 A.B. Fischer,
 Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
    Dated: March 11, 2015.
N.A. Hagerty-Ford,
Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Federal 
Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-06298 Filed 3-20-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P